Okay, I’ll admit – I took this picture right after breakfast and on a morning that I was feeling extremely bloated but the bump has arrived, no? Mela looks confused, haha! This month has been a big one in terms of changing symptoms. For starters, my energy level has sky rocketed and my nausea has greatly improved! It’s all starting to feel “real” since my clothes are becoming tighter and I am becoming visibly pregnant if I’m wearing tight clothes. I’m definitely at the point where I look like I could have just eaten a large meal or I could be pregnant, but the change is too slight for anyone to ask. Oh, and this officially marks the halfway point. Crazy!
Due Date: February 24, 2021 (still measuring about 6 days ahead but the Dr said she won’t change the due date)
Weeks: 20 weeks (5 months / 2nd trimester)
Sleep: I need more. I’m sleeping okay but I wake up at least 2-3 times throughout the night, shifting from my back to my side (I’m naturally a back sleeper but attempting side sleep per doctor recommendations). It’s hard to tell what is waking me up – it’s not discomfort so I’m not sure. Any recommendations for a better night’s sleep?
Exercise: Walking daily to relieve this sciatica and focusing on my daily pelvic floor / core strengthening exercises. The weather has cooled a lot here in Boston so I’ve been enjoying outdoor running more. Right at week 16, I woke up feeling refreshed with an abundance of energy. Weight training took a back seat last month but I made it a point to hit the gym at least twice per week for solely weights this month. I find that doing dead lifts, squats, presses and concentrated band work makes a huge difference in how I feel. Strength days are quickly becoming my favorite!
Food Cravings: I’ve been able to reintroduce chicken back into my diet which is nice from a protein intake standpoint. But…only in the form of chicken soup (chili, taco soup, enchilada soup – you name it) or grilled chicken. No surprise here – I’m still loving eggs & toast and fresh fruit! I think we are going through an average of 1 pineapple a week haha.
Food Aversions: Still a hard no for all things seafood. I can’t seem to down many sweets either. I have a dairy allergy so I’ve always shied away from this department but I made this mistake of topping a homemade apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Never again! I’m not sure if it’s nausea or heartburn but I have been having a brutal combo and it’s just making most meals really uncomfortable. I’m hoping that the next month will bring some relief because I would just really love to enjoy a meal without discomfort.
Milestones: We had our 20 week ultrasound which was the very first appointment that my husband was able to attend (thanks, Covid). It was AMAZING to have him there in person! The anatomy scan was incredible – seeing all of the bones, organs and body functions developing. It all felt a bit more “real” to him after this appointment. Seeing our baby – together – on the big screen with his/her healthy heartbeat was exhilarating.
I’m hoping that we will feel the baby kick in the next few weeks – this is something I am very much looking forward to! My doctor said that since I have an anterior placenta, I should expect to feel a kick anywhere from 21-23 weeks….any day now!
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